I Used The iPhone 16 Pro Max Everyday Since RELEASE... Is It Worth It?

Summary

In this video, the speaker reflects on their nearly year-long experience with the iPhone 16 Pro Max, detailing the features they use daily, like the camera system, 120Hz display, and continuity features, as well as the ones they rarely use, such as the action button and Apple Intelligence. While the iPhone 16 Pro Max remains a solid device, the upcoming iPhone 17 promises potential upgrades, including better battery life and a possible under-display Face ID. The speaker recommends waiting for the official release of the iPhone 17 before deciding to upgrade, as it may offer more enticing features.

Takeaways

• 😀 The iPhone 16 Pro Max has been in daily use since its release, and the user is contemplating whether it's worth upgrading to the iPhone 17.
• 📸 The iPhone 16 Pro Max's camera system is highlighted, especially its 48 MP main and ultrawide cameras, along with the underrated 5x telephoto lens for capturing detailed zoom shots.
• 🔄 The always-on display is a daily feature, offering quick access to time, notifications, and live activities, which has become an essential part of the user’s experience.
• 🛏️ Standby mode is used nightly as a digital alarm clock and weather checker, with the phone needing to be plugged in for this feature to work.
• 🔋 The battery life is solid, lasting a day with moderate to heavy use, but requires occasional recharging on heavy-use days, either via USB-C or a power bank.
• ⚡ The user relies on wireless charging through a 25W Anker charger for overnight charging and utilizes handoff and continuity features for smooth device interaction.
• 🧳 Continuity Camera is praised for its seamless connection to Mac devices, with the phone attaching via MagSafe for quick use.
• 🔲 The action button is set to launch ChatGPT but is not used frequently, with the feature being described as underwhelming and forgettable.
• 🔒 Despite Apple Intelligence being an interesting feature, the user finds it unreliable, often resorting to third-party services like ChatGPT and Google Gemini for better results.
• 📱 The build quality of the iPhone 16 Pro Max is excellent, thanks to a case and screen protector, with no signs of damage despite daily use.
• 🔮 The user advises waiting for the iPhone 17's release before deciding to upgrade, as the price of previous models (like the iPhone 16) will likely drop, making it a better deal.

Q & A

What are the key features of the iPhone 16 Pro Max that the reviewer uses daily?

The reviewer uses the camera (48 MP lenses, 5x telephoto zoom), 120 Hz ProMotion display, always-on display, standby mode, wireless charging at 25 watts, and continuity features (handoff and continuity camera) on a daily basis.

How does the iPhone 16 Pro Max handle video recording?

The iPhone 16 Pro Max handles 4K video recording smoothly, supporting various frame rates, from 24 fps to 120 fps. It's praised for its ability to shoot in high-quality formats without any issues.

Why does the reviewer prefer to shoot in JPEG over RAW on the iPhone 16 Pro Max?

The reviewer prefers shooting in JPEG because the quality from the 48 MP sensors is sufficient for their needs, and JPEG files take up less storage compared to RAW files.

What features of the iPhone 16 Pro Max does the reviewer rarely use?

The reviewer rarely uses the action button, camera control, the new passwords app, and Apple Intelligence. They find the action button forgettable and Apple Intelligence to be underwhelming.

How does the reviewer feel about Apple Intelligence on the iPhone 16 Pro Max?

The reviewer is disappointed with Apple Intelligence, mentioning that it often gets things wrong, lags behind, or doesn’t work properly. They prefer using alternatives like Google or ChatGPT.

What is the reviewer's experience with the iPhone 16 Pro Max's battery life?

The reviewer finds the battery life to be generally good, lasting through a full day of moderate to heavy use. On light use days, it can last up to two days, but heavy days may require a charge during the day.

Does the reviewer use the iPhone 16 Pro Max’s continuity camera often?

Yes, the reviewer uses the continuity camera daily, finding it incredibly useful for attaching the iPhone to the Mac via MagSafe and using it as a webcam.

What does the reviewer think about the iPhone 16 Pro Max's build quality?

The reviewer is satisfied with the iPhone 16 Pro Max's build quality, noting that with the use of a case and screen protector, the phone remains in mint condition without any scratches or damage.

Is the reviewer planning to upgrade to the iPhone 17?

The reviewer is unsure whether they will upgrade to the iPhone 17, but they plan to purchase it for content creation and to review the new features. They suggest that it might be better to wait for price drops after the release.

What advice does the reviewer give to people considering an upgrade from the iPhone 16 Pro Max?

The reviewer advises waiting for the iPhone 17 to be released, as it might offer better features and cause a price drop in the iPhone 16 Pro Max. This would be a good time to upgrade if you're not in urgent need of the latest model.